HMCS WINDFLOWER (K155)

The History of the WINDFLOWER

Commissioned on October 20, 1940, at Quebec City, she arrived at Halifax on October 31 and left on December 6 with convoy HX.94 for the U.K. There, at Scotsoun, she completed fitting out on March 2, 1941, following which she went to Tobermory to work up. Later in March she was assigned to EG 4 (RN), Greenock, escorting convoys between the U.K. and Iceland. She left Aultbea on June 10 for St. John's with OB.332, and on arrival transferred to Newfoundland Command. After two round trips between St. John's and Iceland, she arrived at Liverpool, N.S., on August 29 for a short refit, resuming her ocean escort duties in mid-October. She made one more round trip to Iceland, and on December 7, 1941, while making her second trip, was rammed and sunk in convoy SC.58 by the Dutch freighter Zypenberg in dense fog off the Grand Banks. Twenty-three of her complement were lost.

WINDFLOWER Statistical Data

Pendant: K155

Type: Corvette

Class: FLOWER Class 1939-1940

Displacement: 950 tonnes

Length: 205.1 ft

Width: 33.1 ft

Draught: 11.5 ft

Speed: 16 kts

Compliment:
6 Officers and 79 Crew

Arms: 1-4" Gun, 1-2 pdr, 2-20mm, Hedgehog

Builder: Davie Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Que.

Keel Laid: 24-Feb-40

Date Launched: 04-Jul-40

Date Commissioned: 15-May-41

Paid off: 07-Dec-41

Remarks

While escorting convoy SC.58, she was rammed by Dutch freighter Zypenberg in dense fog off the Grand Banks. She was sunk, and 23 of her ship's company were lost.